Reports: Cowboys agree to terms with free agent linebacker

One year after they made a splash in free agency, the salary cap-challenged Dallas Cowboys barely made a ripple Tuesday by reportedly agreeing to terms with former Detroit Lions linebacker Justin Durant.

The team is expected to sign the seven-year veteran to a two-year deal once it creates more space under the salary cap, NFL.com and other outlets reported.

Durant started 14 games last season. He finished second on the team with 103 tackle while playing outside linebacker in the 4-3 defense, which the Cowboys will use this season after employing the 3-4 scheme every season since Bill Parcells installed it in 2005.

Second-year pro Kyle Wilber is projected as the starter at strong-side linebacker for Dallas in 2013, but the club now has two veterans to push him in Durant and Alex Albright.

According to ESPNDallas.com, the Cowboys have only $102,000 in cap space. But that could change if the club is able to negotiate an extension with quarterback Tony Romo and sign defensive end Anthony Spencer to a new deal.

A seven-year veteran, Durant spent the last two seasons with the Lions after he started his NFL career with a four-year stint with Jacksonville. Durant, who carries 240 pounds on 6-foot-1 frame, turns 28 in September.

Police say Brent had a blood-alcohol level that was twice the legal limit when Brown died in a single-car crash Dec. 8 in Irving. Brown was a passenger in Brent’s car.

If convicted, Brent faces up to 20 years in prison. The Cowboys placed Brent on the reserve non-football injury list at the end of last season, putting his career on hold while he remains free on $100,000 bond.